JOBY Wavo Plus Shotgun Mic Review
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Welcome to the JOBY Wavo Plus Shotgun Mic review where we will be taking a look at the ins and outs of this premium portable shotgun microphone.
Dubbed by JOBY as a high-quality shotgun microphone, the Wavy Plus is ideal for vloggers and filmmakers who plan on breaking into the industry with the help of a compact microphone that can produce superb audio recordings. Said to be able to withstand long recording sessions thanks to its hardworking battery life, the JOBY Wavo Plus may just be the companion you need for those all-day shoots.
Professional sound quality, long battery life, and portability — if these three alone prove this mic’s extremely reliable product quality and are getting you excited about the JOBY Wavo Plus, then wait until you hear about the rest in this review!
About the JOBY Wavo Plus Shotgun Mic
Brand | JOBY |
| Model Name | JOBY Wavo Plus |
| Connectivity Technology | 3.5mm TRS and TRRS cable |
| Capsule Type | Condenser Electret Line Gradient |
| Type | Shotgun |
| Color | Black/Red |
| Polar Pattern | Super cardioid polar pattern |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 75db |
| Item Weight | 8.8 ounces |
| Item Dimensions | 11.5 x 5.8 x 11.2 cm |
| Mounting Method | ¼” screw, ⅜” universal mount, cold-shoe mount |
| Recommended Applications | Professional audio recording for vloggers and filmmakers |
| Inclusions | 1x Wavo PLUS On-Camera Microphone Foam windscreen ⅜” thread adapter TRS cable to TRS camera cable TRS to TRRS smartphone cable 1.5m Type-C to Type-C USB cable 1.5m Type-C to Type-A USB cable Batteries |
The JOBY Wavo Plus microphone is a true powerhouse that’s compact yet filled with features. From producing professional-level audio recordings to versatility in mounting compatibilities, the JOBY Wavo Plus microphone is the step-up mic for aspiring creators.
At first glance, one cannot deny the compact (and somewhat chunky) size of the JOBY Wavo Plus. You would think that with such small dimensions, this microphone cannot handle serious work, but think again! This is one compact premium external microphone that is made for producing high-quality audio recordings.
This microphone allows you to have full control of audio with live monitoring so you can check on the quality of your recordings while the session is ongoing. Simply plug the cable into the headphones input and you can do live audio monitoring of the audio levels. It even has a handy headphone volume control that you can easily adjust to your preference.
The ease of mounting the JOBY Wavo Plus to DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, or even mobile devices makes this microphone even more useful and versatile. This versatility in mounting allows you to use this microphone for vlogging, filmmaking, or audio interviews.
However, it doesn’t end there! The JOBY Wavo Plus features a USB Type-C port, which means you can plug in your microphone to your Mac or PC for recording voiceovers as well. Talk about versatility in recording applications!
Last but not least, the JOBY Wavo Plus microphone has a long battery life of up to 30 hours. This means you won’t be clamoring over the nearest socket to charge your Wavo Plus microphone. You’re assured that this mic can last you the entire day.
You’ll also know when it’s time to charge as it has a battery LED indicator that will show you the remaining power of your mic. The LED traffic light system will indicate the battery status accordingly; the front battery is LED green for 100-30%, amber for 30-10%, and red for 10-0%.
Benefits of JOBY Wavo Plus On-Camera Microphone
The Wavo Plus microphone may be small and compact but it does pack a lot of benefits and features. Let’s get into the key benefits that make it a great mic to have!
Professional Sound Quality
The JOBY Wavo Plus is a super-cardioid shotgun-style microphone with, of course, a super-cardioid frequency response. It’s equipped with a 100Hz high-pass filter, which helps in eliminating low noises so you can achieve clean, crisp audio every time. The live audio monitoring and volume control also allow you to make adjustments on the fly so you can capture audio the way you want them to sound.
The microphone can avoid low frequencies like picking up unwanted sounds from handling noises, background noise, wind noise, air conditioner noise, or even traffic noise if you plan on recording outside. Additionally, the -100db safe track switch feature of the Wavo Plus also ensures that your microphone keeps a “safe track” of your recording in case the main track is distorted due to loud noises.
What does all of these mean? Well, it means you get to spend less time editing and post-processing your audio recordings because the Wavo Plus does all the work for you the minute you press the power button. Talk about professionalism at its best and easiest!
Versatility
The Wavo Plus’ versatility stems true in a lot of ways. From versatility in mounting options to applications, this is a premium and hardworking mic.
Starting with mounting options. The JOBY Wavo Plus has a cold-shoe, Bluetooth-ready mounting option. You can snap it into the center position of your mobile device, DSLR camera, mirrorless camera, or vlogging camera of your choice. This type of versatility allows you to use this microphone with various devices, giving you lots of options.
Aside from mounting capabilities, the JOBY Wavo Plus also comes with a USB-C port. This means you can also use this shotgun as a USB microphone with Mac and Windows computers. Why would you need this? Well, in case you want to record voiceovers, then you can easily do so with the Wavo Plus! This definitely adds to the dynamic range of features the Wavo Plus has.
Speaking of, let’s talk about the many recording applications you can do with the Wavo Plus. Aside from voiceovers, you can use this mic for vlogging, filmmaking, recording interviews, or the audio that will be used for your documentary. This is definitely a microphone that can elevate the audio quality of your projects.
Portability
There’s no question that the Wavo Plus is a compact microphone. The dimensions of this mic are condensed to 11.5 x 5.8 x 11.2 cm meaning it can easily fit inside your bag without taking up much valuable space. You don’t need to worry about straining your shoulder and arm while carrying it too since it only weighs 8.8 ounces.
Being compact and lightweight, the Wavo Plus is extremely portable and easy to transport. It also makes it a great choice of microphone to use when you plan on doing handheld recordings.
Pros and Cons of the Wavo Plus Shotgun Microphone
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ High-quality audio recordings ✔️ Lightweight and compact ✔️ Equipped with a handy volume control, high-pass filter, and built-in shock mount ✔️ Battery life of up to 30 hours ✔️ Can be mounted on a mobile device, a DSLR camera, and a mirrorless camera ✔️ Has a safe track switch and auto-power mode (rear power) | ✖️ Build quality has a plastic feel to it ✖️ Lacks a clipping indicator light (as seen on the JOBY Wavo Pro) ✖️ Does not include a lightning adapter |
What People Are Saying About It
There are a lot of good things that we can rave about the JOBY Wavo Plus but let’s also hear what other happy users have to say.
“Certainly, the sound quality is a major upgrade from the many in-camera microphones. Given the feature set, I believe this microphone would probably be best suited to content creators who are vlogging or otherwise creating video in the field and want a small, lightweight microphone that is easy to set up.”
KEN LEE – PHOTO FOCUS
Where to Buy the JOBY Wavo Plus Shotgun Mic
With everything said, you may already be thinking, “Well, where can I get myself one?”. Luckily, we have a great deal for you on Amazon so you can just add this to your cart and wait for it to be delivered straight to your home!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect any camera cable to the Wavo Plus?
No, you cannot connect just any camera cable. This mic requires a specific TRRS to TRS cable to connect properly to a camera. Ensure that the cable you use matches the specifications required by JOBY to avoid any connectivity issues.
Near the TRRS connection, indicators for the battery can be found so make sure that you do not damage it when attempting cable connections.
Does the Wavo Plus have a manual low-cut filter switch?
Yes, it has a manual low-cut filter switch. This feature allows you to reduce low-frequency noise for clearer audio recordings.
In addition to this, the mic features a three-position gain switch. This switch allows you to adjust the microphone’s gain level to suit different recording environments, providing options for low, medium, and high gain settings. Alongside this, there are two switches: one for adjusting the output level and another for selecting the polar pattern, giving you control over the microphone’s sensitivity and directionality.
The top switch of the mic features the Safety Track feature, which will limit the audio to -10db on the right channel. This is useful for when you find that your audio recording is distorted due to loud noises so you would like a safety main track.
These features collectively offer versatile control over your recording settings, ensuring high-quality audio capture in various situations.
Are shotgun mics good?
Yes, shotgun mics are good for capturing clear and focused audio, especially in environments with background noise. They are highly directional, allowing them to pick up sound primarily from the front while minimizing noise from the sides and rear. This makes them ideal for use in film, video production, and live broadcasting.
What are the disadvantages of a shotgun microphone?
The disadvantages of a shotgun include its highly directional nature, which requires precise aiming to capture the desired sound. It can also pick up unwanted noise if the sound source is not directly in front. Additionally, shotgun mics can be less effective in reverberant environments, where reflections can cause quality issues. They are also generally larger and more expensive compared to other types of microphones.
What is the best range for a shotgun microphone?
The best range typically falls between 1 to 4 feet (30 cm to 1.2 meters) from the sound source. This range allows the microphone to capture clear and focused sound while minimizing background noise.
What is the best shotgun microphone for an interview?
In our opinion, the best shotgun mic for an interview is arguably the Sennheiser MKH 416. This mic is less sensitive to plosives, can clearly capture human voices with depth and clarity, and is seen as an industry-standard mic.
JOBY Wavo Plus
The JOBY Wavo Plus is a premium compact shotgun mic that is ideal for starting vloggers and filmmakers who are looking to elevate the sound quality of their recordings.
With a super-cardioid polar pattern and features such as a high-pass filter, low-cut filter, and volume control, this microphone can work on the fly in producing professional-standard recordings.
The safety track feature and built-in components of the mic also assure you that your recordings will stay clean, clear, and crisp — even in challenging recording environments.
The versatile mounting options from cameras to mobile devices, and even the ability to be plugged into computers make this JOBY mic extremely convenient to use because of wide compatibility options.
Plus, it’s lightweight and compact which adds another layer to its convenience.
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